Chartwell
Kent, England
Key facts
- Operator
- National Trust
- Condition
- Intact
- Access
- Staffed, ticketed
- Entry pass
- National Trust Explorer Pass
Pinpoint
Mapleton Rd, Westerham TN16 1PS
Telephone 01732 868381
Possible Opening Hours*
*Opening times change. Always check the official website before you travel.
| Monday | 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM |
| Tuesday | 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM |
| Wednesday | 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM |
| Thursday | 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM |
| Friday | 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM |
| Saturday | 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM |
| Sunday | 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM |
Visitor essentials
- Parking
- Car park £6 per car, £10 per minibus or coach; 15 accessible spaces near Visitor Centre; hard tarmac surface.
- Access
- Hillside site with steps, unsuitable for mobility scooters; garden partly accessible with steep slopes and steps; wheelchair on house first floor; accessible toilets; Blue Badge parking.
- Facilities
- Landemare Café, second-hand bookshop, shop, plant shop (peat-free plants), toilets, Visitor Centre.
- Dogs
- Dogs on short leads welcome in garden and Lady Soames Room in café; assistance dogs only in house, studio and shop.
- Safety
- Hillside location with steps and steep slopes in the garden; narrow corridors in the house.
Chartwell was the family home of Sir Winston Churchill for over 40 years, and reviewers describe both house and grounds as strikingly large and well presented, from a spacious free car park to extensive gardens. The house holds exhibitions on Churchill's life, and visitors consistently mention the black swans on the grounds alongside the historical exhibits. Even those who miss the house due to afternoon closing describe the grounds and setting as worth the visit alone.
Worth the trip
The exhibitions inside the house tracing Churchill's life, paired with the well-known black swans on the grounds.
Before you go
The house can close in the afternoon before the wider site does, so if seeing the interior matters most to you, aim for a morning visit rather than leaving it late in the day.
Reviewers consistently praise Chartwell for its rich history as Winston Churchill's home, with the studio housing his paintings and the knowledgeable, story-filled room docents mentioned again and again as a highlight. The gardens, black swans, and geese are recurring delights, and the free car park and cafe with hilltop views are appreciated. A couple of reviewers note that the first rooms in the house are small, causing crowding and longer waits earlier in the day, with one recommending a later afternoon visit to avoid coach parties. Overall the property is described as a peaceful, historically rich oasis rather than just a stately home.
Family home of Sir Winston Churchill for over 40 years
“Not only is the setting with rolling hills and a stunning house and gardens but you get a real sense of history. I didn't go onto the house this visit due to being late afternoon and the house had closed but I have been…”- Grant Hills, visitor review
Practical notes from visitors
Quoted from individual Google reviews, not verified with the operator - treat as a steer, not gospel, and check before you travel.
- Parking
- “Everything starts with a very big car park, free of charge for the National Trust members, a huge gift shop, and an amazed look at the two, possibly more, black swans!” - ChrisV
- Facilities
- “Also, a lovely café on top of a hill offering a nice view over the whole area.” - ChrisV
Common questions about Chartwell
Where is Chartwell?
Chartwell is in Kent, England, at Mapleton Rd, Westerham TN16 1PS.
Do you need a ticket to visit Chartwell?
Yes - Chartwell is a staffed, ticketed attraction run by National Trust. Ticket prices and opening hours change through the year, so check the official site before travelling.
What is the highlight of visiting Chartwell?
The exhibitions inside the house tracing Churchill's life, paired with the well-known black swans on the grounds.
Is Chartwell a ruin or still intact?
Chartwell is largely intact - Family home of Sir Winston Churchill for over 40 years.
